foto log

9/19/11

on my day off, I....

PLAY CATCH-UP: Bear with me as I attempt to summarize the busy ongoings of our crazy household since I last posted:

Victorious Warriors


I don't think I've mentioned in previous entries - but Sa recently joined a local rugby club called the Utah Warriors. During their debut season in the USA Super League circuit last year, they put on a good showing - and defied many odds despite not having a stable foundation, uniformed chemistry, or an overwhelming reception from the league and many of it's more 'permanent' fixtures. These, plus many other 'distractions', may have led to their not being able to make it to the playoffs for the 15s Super League 2010-11 season and a shot at the title - BUT, they have since multiplied in numbers, as far as potential players go, and also in a growing fan base - dubbed 'Warrior Nation'. 


The SL season ended in April or May - and they once again united in the summer to form their very own Sevens team to compete in the Pacific Coast Rugby Football Union Tournament: 1st & 2nd place qualifying for the USA 7s Nationals later in the summer. Sa was able to be a part of this compilation as well - and as newbies they redeemed themselves after a below average SL debut by becoming PCRFU Champions for 2011(having defeated SFGG twice during the tournament - a great team who have become overnight rivals both on and off the pitch since joining the league).


Featured above - are the members of this 2011 PCRFU sevens championship squad. Great Job Fellas! (furbished from Utah Warriors Pac Coast Champs album on facebook)


***They ranked #3 after the USA 7s Nationals = pretty good for newbies. 
***They are about to add a Division-1 15s rugby team come 2012
***They just resumed rugby operations for esteemed Highland Highschool rugby program
***Try-outs for the new season are next month - come out and support your very own local pro rugby team!

WARRIOR NATION - all day everyday.
***


MISS HEIRESS...FunnyOutstandingUniqueReserved

Our youngest diva turned 4yrs old in July.


The first time she laid eyes on that Tangled-themed cake, she was in love. But it had more to do with the little plastic rings used to decorate it than anything else. *sigh... My H-diva is really coming in to her own nowadays. She is still a bit shy and timid but when it's just her and her sister - I've seen her crazy Savaii side emerge now and again. haha... :) (Vaimoso/Falealili/Fagaloa/Tulaele people aren't crazy at all) :) 


I still haven't figured out how to cut the cord that exists between her and her daddy. It's comparable to steel cable wires that are lined with superglue! If, and when, Sa is out of town - we rarely miss him because Heiress steps in and does all the burping in public for him while he's out. *ugh... Even grown men have given her a look of pure amazement at how she can belch. *smh


Cheers to another year for our fun loving, baby diva - love you tons xoxo - Mommy, Daddy & Leka and all your families around the world.


 ***

"MY SCHOOL IS CALLED KINDERGARTEN "


 Not the best quality shot - but this was more of an afterthought: "Oh I should probably take a pic of Baby C - since today is her first day of Kindergarten!!!" - lol

So far - so good. She loves Kindergarten. Should I be worried that she talks about having a ton more 'boy' friends than 'girl' friends? And what is up with homework EVERY night!?? lol - It's been hilarious (and fun) helping her with homework. 

I think Sa and I have had many "loud" conversations as to how best to tutor and help her with her studies. One thing I know for sure is - (and this is only my opinion) but I really hope there are better English teachers in Sam-Co nowadays. hahahaha... what? school pride much? 

My only advice to her was to always listen to the teacher, raise your hand to answer questions and ask them, and always be nice and friendly to everyone. 

Oh and to tell me if any of the kids pick on her. Because "mommy is going to sasa them and their mommy too" - ok?  :) 

Next year my other diva is going to be in Kindergarten - woohoo! Soon after - Sa and I will be empty nesters! yay!
(End goal in mind. End - goal - in - mind). :)

***


RECONNECTED


Pretty self-explanatory: I just recently reconnected with my TWO long lost brothers. 

LEFT: is my childhood brother 'Jared' whom I was raised with and grew up with until 1993 when he moved back to Cali to be with his biological mom and their family. He has since been going by 'David' or Kavika - and it's been 18 yrs since we'd last spoken or seen each other. Love that I've finally gotten a chance to talk to him again. Been missing you a long time Brother!



RIGHT: is my biological brother Presley. He and I last saw each other in 2004. So it's been about - what 7yrs? He was legally adopted by my mom's brother who lives in Utah - so he's "technically" my cousin. Confusion much? - Anyway - love the guy to bits. So glad to have found him as well. 

I've missed out on so much with these two - but this only gives way to making up for lost time. Hopefully I'll be able to take my family (which was news to BOTH of them - haha) to visit and meet with them. 
***

POLOAIs' REUNITE
Although I missed out on many fun activities during this family reunion - It was still a blast to have been able to see everyone and catchup with my Poloai family. 

Can't wait for next year. Hope to make it out there - God willing. 
 

***
SIGH...

This is what I get for putting off updating this blog all the time. I know I still have a lot more to post - but these are the main highlights I've been meaning to put up since June! Plus I think I'm developing carpel tunnel after just this one post!

Generally speaking: Work is great (for the most part). I'm loving working with the Young Women of our Ward. And ending today's (3mths worth) entry on a high note - GO MANU SAMOA!!!! (RWC 2011)

 
***

7/1/11

F.I.V.E

Miss Coretta - FulloflIfeandloVeandEmotions 

Last month (I apologize for not being up to date) - we celebrated our Diva Leka's 5th birthday. *holy cow*
Didn't do anything "typical" :) (for polys that is) - We did however manage to take a last minute weekend trip to St. George - her birthplace. Had tons of fun; enjoyed the heat; loved the scenery; frequented the outlets; and the best part of it all was spending it all with my fave divas.
We even got to meet and catch up with some friends and family there. (Here are the girls with Misi & Whitnee's daughter Palo). We also got the chance to enjoy the Poly Fest the Samoan community hosted that same weekend at Pine View Highschool. 
 (and Sa got in some game time during their Volleyball Tournament - surprise surprise:))
After the weekend trip - We were back to work on Monday (which was her official birthday). Beforehand I had asked what she wanted for her special day - and she simply said "a cake and strawberries" - voila!  


 

The strawberries were gone after 5mins and the cake was barely touched... (conveniently - that was the same day Sa started eating healthy - lol)

Happy 5th Birthday Miss Coretta!
xoxo from your sister diva, mommy diva, and twin diva and all your friends & family around the world:)

*now to await August - Kindergarten here we come! 

5/8/11

to be celebrated everyday...

I would like to wish all the Mothers/mothers-to-be/mother-ly women - out there a Happy Mothers Day. I especially focus my thoughts today to my own mom (featured), as she is the reason and influence that has driven a lot of the decisions (both good and "questionable") that have molded me into the woman I am today. Love you tons. Wish we were celebrating with you back home!

Additionally, I have not forgotten the many "moms" that have graced my life's journey with their presence and wisdom thus far. It is truly unthinkable to have not had the pleasure of crossing and intertwining paths with you all. 

Enjoy the "official" holiday set aside to celebrate all that you great women embody. Our calendars don't say it but we all know that everyday we think about how blessed we are to have you, have had you... and how hard to consider not having you around. 

One can only hope to be lucky enough to have acquired even a fraction of what makes mothers mothers. It is truly a blessing to be one. HMD ladies.

5/4/11

To my street sweeper...

Happy Birthday Sa...love your divas!!!

In honor of my fun-loving, selective-hearing, always-sleepy, rugby-volleyball-bball crazed, espn-hogging, diva of a husband's birthday today... (those mere terms don't quite do him justice by any measure) - I have decided to post one of his favorite quotes. And if you haven't met or gotten to know him a bit better outside of what my blog says - then this quote will help you see into the type of man that he is each day...and for that, I'm truly blessed.

"If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well."
 -Martin Luther King

4/16/11

Family Anniversary

It's been 1 year since becoming an eternal family.
 Love my Divas

4/15/11

in loving memory...

-The following post is dedicated to the memory of my Father-in-Law Mailata Taigaga Palepoi. I met him once in person, but the influence he has had in our family is incomparable to mere minutes, days, even years as his legacy lives on-through my husband and his siblings and therefore his grandchildren. We will definitely miss him.

This is truly a treat to read how he wrote to us... Please enjoy:




 "Life wasn’t meant to be easy ... But it’s challenges like bringing up a family and understanding each other that molds us into a close knit family. 


So when and if you face difficulties face it and overcome them but never try and side step them because they’ll always come round again and again in life. 

It’s always better to know a cure for a problem than searching for one every time such problems thrusts their ugly heads in our lives. 

To be a parent is no picnic but it’s a calling and a huge job that lots of patience is needed for.We love you all very much,Take care and be well, Dad."

 *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

"Remember what I used to teach you kids a long time ago that life wasn’t meant to be easy. It wasn’t meant to be because it wouldn’t be living if you don’t struggle. The trick is to learn how to properly use what you have so that there won’t be any long faces when bad times fronts up...

...share ideas and understand that there will always be a tomorrow. It’s a circle of good times after bad times and so on and on. Also remember that today will come to pass.

...fighting is NOT a treatment or cure for any family difficulties.

...give your family the first priority. Especially your children. Look after them and please don’t give them free reign. Teach and show them how to be good and to respect you. Teach them all the good things that you know counts best in this world. That includes making sure you give them the best available education you can possibly give financially...

...have both your feet planted well

We love you very much,
 
Dad"

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
"Talofa Kids,
..Ia outou manuia. To'a'aga i galuega ma tausi fa'amaoni a outou fanau ma aiga.

...Oute alofa atu ia outou uma ma ia manuia le sauni atu i aso fiafia,
Dad."